Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Last year for our anniversary, I made Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake.  This year, Handsome Man and I celebrated a night early at home with this beauty.

(if you're noticing a chocolate/berry trend, there definitely is one!)

Recipe for Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

♥1 pound fresh strawberries
♥ 2 tbsp white sugar
♥ 2  1/2 cups flour
♥ 1/2 cup cocoa powder
♥ 1 tsp baking soda
♥ 1 tsp baking powder
♥ 1/2 tsp salt
♥ 2 cups white sugar
♥ 1 cup butter, softened
♥ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
♥ 2 eggs
♥ 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
♥ 1  1/2 cups milk
♥ 3/4 cup brewed coffee
♥ 1 qt heavy whipping cream
♥ 1/4 cup powdered sugar
♥ 2 tbsp white sugar

Preheat the oven to 350* and lightly grease two 9 inch round baking pans.  Hull and slice your strawberries, put them in a bowl and sprinkle 2 tbsp white sugar on them.  Stir them gently and place in the refrigerator.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, set aside.  Using your mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together.  Slowly add vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.  Mix in dry ingredients until just combined (overmixing will produce a very dense cake).  Turn off the mixer and stir in milk and coffee until the batter is well blended.  Gently pour the batter into the prepared cake pans.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the cake.  Cool in the pans for 10 minutes, and then remove the pans and allow to cool completely on cooling racks.

Beat whipping cream until foamy in a large bowl.  Gradually add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and beat until stiff peaks form.  Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread half of the whipped cream over the top of one.  Use a slotted spoon to scoop the strawberries out of the bowl so that they don't drip pink juice on your beautifully white whipped cream, and layer half of the strawberries onto the cake.  Carefully set the second cake on top, and spread the rest of the whipped cream on it.  Add the rest of the strawberries, and voila!  A beautiful, unique dessert.

Perfect for celebrating an anniversary!

Happy 4th anniversary to the beautiful heart that has loved me, the strong arms that have held me, the man who daily lives out my happily ever after.

I love you, Jesse!